Products
Mesna is commercially available as film-coated tablets and as a solution for injection (Uromitexan). It has been approved in many countries since 1981.
Structure and properties
Mesna (C
2
H
5
NaO
3
S
2
, M
r
= 164.2 g/mol) is a thiol compound. It exists as a white to pale yellow, crystalline, hygroscopic powder and is readily soluble in water. Mesna has the following structure: HS-CH
2
-CH
2
SO
3
– –
Na
+
Effects
Mesna (ATC V03AF01) has detoxifying properties. It is rapidly converted to its metabolite dimesna (mesnadisulfide). Dimesna is excreted by the kidneys and again converted to mesna. Mesna reacts with and detoxifies toxic oxazaphosphorine metabolites.
Indications
To prevent urinary tract toxicity of oxazaphosphorines (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide).
